Substance Use and Addiction
Unfortunately, our society often treats people who use alcohol or other drugs with judgment and negativity. This type of stigma only serves to reinforce unhelpful stereotypes, and makes it harder for people who are struggling with their own substance use to seek help. To be frank, it’s also just the wrong way to think about substances and the people who use them.
Most people either actively use substances, or have used them in the past. You may have a glass of wine with dinner, use cannabis for medical or recreational reasons, only take medications prescribed by a doctor, or use illegal drugs bought off the street. Some people find their substance use causes them no problems at all, and may even enhance their lives in certain ways. Others have had their lives upended through a powerful addiction to alcohol or other drugs. Many, many people fall somewhere in between.
Just as people use different substances, for different reasons, and in different ways, there are a variety of treatments and programs available to explore substance use and treat addiction. 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous are the most commonly known addiction treatment programs, and many people have found them life-changing. But they aren’t for everyone, and some people may prefer other very effective approaches to engaging with addiction and substance use; treatment should be tailored to the individual person’s needs, not done “by the book.”
Whether you are struggling with active addiction and want help achieving and maintaining sobriety, or you are feeling ambivalent or curious about your substance use and need a space to explore what it means in your life, therapy is available. What might substance use or addiction-focused therapy look like?
A non-judgmental and stigma-free space to talk about your substance use
Gaining a better understanding of why you use substances the way that you do, and exploring the impacts alcohol or other drugs have on your life, positive and negative
Using mindfulness, somatic or cognitive therapies to manage cravings and other triggers
For those working to stay sober, creating a relapse prevention plan or utilizing other forms of trigger awareness and harm reduction planning
Exploring ambivalence and motivation to change
Access to community-based treatment and harm reduction resources
Group therapy for addiction and substance use issues, so you can start to build community with other people who have similar life experiences
Daniel has a special interest in working with clients struggling with addiction, and those interested in exploring their use of alcohol or other drugs. To learn more, click here.